Literacy Council Offers ‘Drop In' Tutoring

If you know an adult who struggles with reading, the Lake Wales Literacy Council offers "drop in" literacy tutoring from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

By Tina PeakNews Chief

If you know an adult who struggles with reading, the Lake Wales Literacy Council offers "drop in" literacy tutoring from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday. The sessions are held at Lake Wales Care Center, 140 E. Park Ave. Assistance is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. There are adults in our community who cannot read this article, fill out a job application or read a story to a child.The Lake Wales Literacy Council's mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals and the community through literacy.Volunteer tutors will be standing by to help assess and work with adult learners to improve their reading. All levels are accepted.For details, call Steve Thompson, Lake Wales Literacy Council, at 863-676-6678, ext. 1224.

THEATRE WINTER HAVEN REPRESENTING U.S. Polk County's own Theatre Winter Haven has garnered another high honor.As a result of the success at the American Community Theatre National Festival held in Carmel, Ind., Theatre Winter Haven will represent the United States on Oct. 13 at the International Play Festival in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Theatre Winter Haven's production of ‘‘Golda's Balcony'' won first place for the Florida region and the Southeastern USA region, where the show won seven awards. The production was performed at the National Festival garnering the best actress award for Katrina Ploof.The annual international competition is the Army Europe One Act Play Festival in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Many shows compete, but ‘‘Golda's Balcony'' will be a showcase performance only and not adjudicated.Jim Sohre, entertainment director of Installation Management Command-Europe, chose ‘‘Golda's Balcony'' as the best representative from the United States.‘‘Golda's Balcony'' is a one-woman show that recounts the life of Golda Meir, the Israeli prime minister who served from 1969 to 1975. It takes place as the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in Israel begins and Meir reflects on her life.Norm Small, producing director of Theatre Winter Haven, directed ‘‘Golda's Balcony.''"This is our second invitation to an international festival, a great honor for Polk County and Florida," Small said. "In this case, the show has great significance for the hosting country. Miss Ploof and company are honored."For details contact Norm Small at 863-299-2672 or email twh1970@ao.com.

2013 MISS SUNSHINE FOUNDATION PAGEANTThe 2013 Miss Sunshine Foundation Pageant will be held Sept. 21 at the Reunion Resort and Club in Reunion.The pageant will feature a beauty and fashion wear competition, as well as a talent competition and "best of" optionals.All proceeds from the pageant will benefit the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, a 22-acre resort for special-needs children living with chronic illness, physical challenges or the trauma of abuse.The children visit the Dream Village during dream trips granted by the Sunshine Foundation, the nation's oldest wish-granting organization.Winners of the pageant will volunteer their time over the next year making appearances to represent the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village."Queens and Kings will be the backbone of the foundation by hosting events on behalf of Sunshine Foundation and the chronically ill, seriously ill, physically challenged and abused children," said pageant director Marcus Santiago, vice president of the Sunshine Foundation All Volunteer Central Florida chapter.For details on pageant levels, fees and competitions, call 863-424-4188 or email michaelandeli@yahoo.com.

KNITTING CLASSES AT LAKE WALES LIBRARYLake Wales Public Library will host a three-week knitting class, with the first at 5:30 p.m. Friday.The class will continue each Friday at 5:30 p.m. through Aug. 23.Stephanie Carcano, a master knitter, will teach new skills and patterns for knitting fashion accessories. Participants will learn how to create practice swatches for short rows, dropped stitches, mosaic patterns, knitting in the round and grafting, which will allow participants to create unique socks, hats and scarves. Project ideas and yarn will be provided to all students.Participants should bring a set of double pointed needles, size 8, and a circular needle, size 8, 16 inches in length. While all skill levels welcome, knowledge of knitting is necessary.The fee for the three-week class is $20 and registrations are due by 5 p.m. Thursday.For details on the class content, call Stephanie Carcano at 863-537-3805. For registration, call the Lake Wales Public Library, 863-678-4004, or email library@cityoflakewales.com.

MEDICAL CENTER IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERSThe Lake Wales Medical Center is seeking volunteers to fill a variety of positions.Volunteers greet visitors in the hospital lobbies, drive the courtesy parking shuttle golf cart, help in the gift shop, work behind the scenes in several departments, deliver flowers to patients and perform a number of other tasks. Volunteer shifts are available seven days a week, mornings or afternoons.Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, complete an application, submit a letter of recommendation and pass a background screening. Volunteers receive a free meal ticket for the hospital cafeteria for each shift worked, a volunteer uniform and a free flu shot once per year. Volunteers who are ages 50 or older and work at least four hours per week will receive free membership to LWMC's Senior Circle program.For details, contact Eric Grenier at 863-678-2214.

FOURTH-GRADER LEADS SUMMER DRIVELake Wales fourth-grader Tess Fitterling is conducting a one-girl donation drive to help families get ready for school.With the endorsement of the Lake Wales City Commission, Tess is collecting new clothing and school uniforms, school supplies, and nonperishable food items. All donations will be distributed by the Lake Wales Care Center.Donations may be brought to the lobby of the Lake Wales Administration Building, 201 W. Central Ave., through Aug. 16.For details on Tess' Summer Donation Drive, contact the Lake Wales Care Center, 863-676-6678.All donations will help local families in need.

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